Dealing with fungi is a long-term struggle since they hardly die, and most of them tend to hide in closed spaces like beneath the nails. Studies estimate that about 5% of the global population will likely deal with lifelong fungal issues. This is because of the high rate of reinfection and the difficulty of completely getting rid of them.
That is why you should select the most effective method that is invasive yet practical for your condition. These methods can help you with common signs like smelly feet and yellow toenails. In the long term, they can help you fix the issue permanently. However, you must exercise certain precautions and observe tips to speed the recovery.
So, if you have an infection that won’t seem to go away or you notice the sign, here are some tips to help you speed up recovery.
1. Use The Right Medication
There are many ways to treat the fungal infection, from ointments to complex procedures like laser treatments. Each treatment method is based on a diagnosis of the condition, its prevalence, and the extent of damage. For instance, at the onset stages, before it is speared, the best treatment is topical treatment.
Another alternative is oral medication, which is more effective and is likely to have faster impacts. If the condition is prevalent and you must deal with it faster, the best remedy is hot or cold laser treatment. The dermatologist can also recommend additional pills to complement laser treatment and speed recovery.
The anti-fungal nail treatment you choose should be based on the advice of an expert. Your first step is to contact a dermatologist who will examine the problem and recommend the most effective solution. They will also monitor the situation to ensure you deal with the infection effectively.
2. Maintain Foot Hygiene
Hygiene is one of the best preventive measures to stop fungal infection and can also speed up recovery. So, before you apply topicals or go for laser treatment, you need to clean your feet and allow them to dry. This removes skin layers, accumulated dirt, and moisture that can prevent the topical form from coming into direct contact with affected areas.
You should wash your feet at least twice a day. Also, remember to use anti-fungal soap and foot gel to help you kill some fungi on the skin surface. You can do it in the morning and the evenings before you go to bed. Also, follow the same hygiene procedures before using home remedies like anti-fungal powers.
3. Wear Breathable Shoes
The type of shoes you wear will determine how fast the affected areas can heal. Ideally, when you begin the treatment, you should wear open shoes, mainly sandals. Wearing closed shoes limits the air circulation around the foot. Such shoes are likely to trap more moisture, thus rendering some solutions like topical less effective. If you must wear shoes, consider canvas or breathable sports shoes.
If you must wear shoes due to official requirements like work, consider other measures. For example, pour anti-fungal powder inside the shoes to kill the fungus sticking to them. Thirdly, you shouldn’t wear shoes for more than ten hours. After you take them off, wear sandals for the rest of the day.
Also, do not repeat these shoes unless you clean them and give them enough time to dry. In the meantime, you can sprinkle some powder in them to kill all the fungi. This is why you should have multiple pairs of shoes, so you only wear one once a week. Clean your feet and dry them immediately after removing the shoes and before you wear the flip-flops.
4. Selecting The Right Socks
Socks may appear harmless but can be a suitable habitat for fungi to thrive and spread. So, ensure you clean all the socks after wearing them. You should not mix them with other socks. Also, do not repeat them even if you have only put them on for a few hours.
Do not wear thick socks when undergoing treatments, including laser processes. They are more likely to trap heat between your toes, allowing the fungi to spread. Wear light socks made of lighter material, like cotton.
You should only wear socks when attending to official needs like going to work; otherwise, keep your feet exposed to ensure they are always dry. If you must wear warm socks, you should wear them for a while and then allow your feet to enjoy fresh air before putting them back on.
5. Keep Your Nails Short
Sometimes, your dermatologist will recommend oral pills, especially when the infection extends deep into the nails. Such areas are hardly accessible by the laser machine or topicals. So, the first measure is to trim the nails, exposing the fugues, thus improving air circulation and eliminating moisture or dirt in the nails.
Trim them perfectly and file thickened areas to reduce the buildup. This creates more room to spread the ointment, allowing you to deal even with hidden fungi. Before use, you can disinfect the nail tools to avoid transmitting the germs to someone else or reintroducing them to areas that are already healing.
Final Thoughts
The first tip when dealing with fungal nail infections is to select the best treatment method as recommended by a professional. Occasionally, you may have to combine two methods to speed up the process. After that, you should observe the highest hygiene standards by cleaning your feet regularly and keeping your nails too short.
You should avoid socks and closed shoes for a while. If you must wear them, ensure they are made of breathable material and do not wear them for long hours.
